arXiv subjects

Brenden W Hamilton

Publications and source records attributed to Brenden W Hamilton.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Theoretical Framework for the Coupling of Macroscale-Nanoscale Mechanochemical Phenomena in Condensed Matter

The field of covalent mechanochemistry has transitioned from fundamental science to engineering applications, yet it lacks a robust theoretical framework for predicting reaction kinetics in condensed matter. Existing analytical models fail under realistic conditions where macroscopic strains drive molecular-scale deformations that are highly non-linear. We develop a non-perturbative theoretical framework that captures activation barrier changes in highly strained molecules undergoing complex, non-linear deformations, describing the macroscale-nanoscale coupling of phenomena. The framework yields general expressions, parameterizable from atomistic simulations, enabling multiscale prediction of mechanochemical behavior. By presenting the expressions in terms of general observables, this work enables predictions of mechanochemical effects from simple structure optimization calculations, enabling the use of high level quantum chemical methods. We demonstrate this approach on the mechanochromic polymer spiropyran, showing how non-linear strain fields govern mechanophore activation.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2023

Using Limited Neural Networks to Assess Relative Mechanistic Influence on Shock Heating in Granular Solids

The rapid compaction of granular media results in localized heating that can induce chemical reactions, phase transformations, and melting. However, there are numerous mechanisms in play that can be dependent on a variety of microstructural features. Machine learning techniques such as neural networks offer a ubiquitous method to develop models for physical processes. Limiting what kinds of microstructural information is used as input and assessing normalized changes in network error, the relative importance of different mechanisms can be inferred. Here we utilize binned, initial density information as network inputs to predict local shock heating in a granular high explosive trained from large scale, molecular dynamics simulations. The spatial extend of the density field used in the network is altered to assess the importance and relevant length scales of the physical mechanisms in play, where different microstructural features result in different predictive capability.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2022

Systematic Builder for All-Atom Simulations of Plastically Bonded Explosives

The shock to detonation transition in heterogeneous plastically bonded explosives is dominated by energy localization into hotspots that arise from the interaction of the shockwave with microstructural features and defects. The complex polycrystalline structure of these materials leads to a network of hotspot that can coalesce into deflagration and detonation waves. Significant progress has been made on the formation and potency of hotspots using atomistic simulations, but most of the work has focused on ideal and isolated defects. Hence, developed a method, denoted PBXGen, to build realistic PBX microstructures for all-atom simulations. PBXGen is generally applicable, and we demonstrate it with two systems: an RDX-polystyrene PBX with a 3D microstructure and a TATB-polystyrene with columnar grains. The resulting structure exhibit key features of PBXs, albeit at smaller scales, and are validated against experimental mechanical and shock properties.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗